Before that though, in less than two weeks, he will join Federer to lead Team Europe’s defence of the Laver Cup in Chicago (September 21-23).

When asked about his thoughts on his season to date, Djokovic said: “If you told me in February this year when I got the surgery that I'll win Wimbledon, US Open, and Cincinnati (becoming the first man to win all the Masters titles), it would be hard to believe.

"I expected, to be quite frank, after surgery that I'll be back on a high level quite fast. But it took me actually three, four months.

“In that process, I learned a lot about myself, learned to be patient, which was never really a stronger side of me.”

"But, at the same time, there was always part of me that imagined and believed and hoped that I can get back to the desired level of tennis very soon.